Air operated adjustable water sprinkler valve



AIR OPERATED ADJUSTABLE WATER SPRINKLER VALVE Filed June 12, 1967 z Sheets-Sheet J.

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WILLIS W. WARDRUP ATTORNEY July 22, 1969 w. w. WARDRUP AIR OPERATED ADJUSTABLE WATER SPRINKLER VALVE Filed June 12, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 m 4 T A w W W TY; i9 m 1 lill I@\ I I 7J3 l? WILLIS W. WARDRUP ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,456,883 AIR OPERATED ADJUSTABLE WATER SPRINKLER VALVE Willis W. Wardrup, 482 Mariposa Ave., Mountain View, Calif. 94041 Filed June 12, 1967, Ser. No. 645,362 Int. Cl. B05b 1/32 US. Cl. 239--452 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A water sprinkler valve in which compressed air is used to keep the valve closed and the pressure of the water is used for opening the valve and keeping it open. The operator adjusts the air pressure to permit the water to open the valve to the desired extent to deliver a desired quantity of water. A spray adjuster is used to control the size of the opening and to direct the apron-like spray in the desired direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT A patent has been granted to me on a water sprinkler valve No. 3,100,083, issued Aug. 6, 1963. In the patent I disclose a disc shaped valve that closes the open end of a water pipe by means of controlled air pressure. The operator can open the valve to the desired extent by lowering the pressure of the air to a point below the pressure of the water that is endeavoring to open the valve. The disc valve when opened functions as a water spreader for discharging the water in an apron-like spray. A portion of the support for the compressed air compartment is arcuate in shape and directs the apron-like spray in a predetermined direction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention In the building of roads and highways, it is frequently necessary to spread a layer of gravel or other material to provide the proper foundation. Such material must be wetted down and compacted in order to support the weight of the vehicles that will traverse the completed road or highway. The wetting of the roadbed is accomplished by trucks carrying tanks of water with pumps for delivering the water under pressure. The operator of the truck controls the valve mechanism that delivers the desired quantity of water to the 'roadbed as the truck moves over it. My air operated adjustable water sprinkler valve is used for controlling the quantity of water delivered as well as the type of apron-like spray that is formed and the direction the stream of water will take.

Description of the prior art My own Patent No. 3,100,083 issued Aug. 6, 1963, is the most pertinent of the prior art. I have already briefly described this patent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of my invention is to provide an air operated adjustable water sprinkler valve that is an improvement over my patent. In the present invention I mount the disc valve inside of a casting that in turn is connected to the water outlet pipe. The casting has a water inlet that communicates with the water pipe and it has a cylindrical wall that surrounds the disc periphery, the wall having a water outlet opening therein through which water flows when the disc valve is open. The water outlet extends through an angle of about 90 and its lower rim lies in approximately the same horizontal plane as the rim of the water inlet for the casing.

I further provide a spray adjusting split ring that has a layer of rubber or the like on its inner surface that is designed to make a water-tight fit with the exterior cylindrical surface of the casting when the ring is clamped in position. The spray adjusting split ring has an opening of the same size and shape as the opening in the casting cylindrical wall. It is possible to loosen the split ring and adjust it on the cylindrical casting wall to cover any desired portion of the water outlet opening in the wall, after which the split ring may be tightened in place. In this way not only the size of the water outlet opening may be controlled, but the desired portion of the opening may be covered. The direction and amount of water spray is controlled in this manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a vertical section through the device and the air inlet pipe is shown connected to an air supply valve.

FIGURE 2 is an elevational view of the device when looking in the direction of the arrows 22 of FIGURE 1 and shows the spray adjuster split ring positioned to close a part of the water outlet opening in the casting.

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the device on a smaller scale when looking in the direction of the arrows 33 of FIGURE 1, with a portion of the casting and spray adjuster split ring shown in section to illustrate how the size of the water outlet opening can be controlled.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In carrying out my invention I provide a casting indicated generally at A in FIGURE 1. This casting or casing has a water inlet tubular portion 1 that is threaded exteriorly so as to be received in the interiorly threaded end of a water pipe B. The inner rim 2 of the tubular portion 1 extends above the inner surface 3 of the bottom wall to the casing A. The casing has a cylindrical wall 4 with an outwardly extending flange 5 being arranged at the top of this wall. The flange 5 has a downwardly inclined upper surface 5a and also has a downwardly inclined lower surface 5b. The cylindrical wall 4 of the casing is larger in diameter than the diameter of the circular rim 2 for the inner end of the tubular portion of the casing.

-I provide a disc valve C for closing the top of the rim 2 and for controlling the quantity of water flowing into the casing A when the valve is opened. The outer periph ery 6 of the disc valve C is slightly less than the inner surface of the cylindrical casing wall 4, see FIGURE 1. The undersurface of the disc valve has a circular groove 7 that is concentric with the axis of the valve. Also the groove 7 has side walls 711 that extend at an obtuse angle to the bottom of the groove. A layer of rubber D extends across the bottom face of the disc valve C and the periphery 6 of the valve is also covered with a cylindrical portion of the rubber layer as shown at 8. The rubber layer D has an integral circular rib 9 that has sloping sides for being snugly received in the circular groove 7. The rib provides extra thickness adjacent to the rim 2 so that when the disc valve C is closed, the rim 2 can be partially pressed into the rubber layer D to provide a water-tight closure, see FIGURE 1.

The pressure of the water in the pipe B, and in the tubular portion 1 of the casting A, tends to lift the disc valve C, off from the circular rim 2. I provide air-controlled means for keeping the disc-valve closed and for determining the amount of opening of the valve. A bowlshaped diaphragm E is mounted in the casting A, see FIG- URE l, and it has an outwardly extending annular flange 10 that rests on the casting flange 5. The flange 10 has a downwardly inclined undersurface 10a that coincides with the downwardly inclined upper surface 5a of the casting flange 5. The flange has an upper surface with an upwardly inclined portion 10b and this will make the outer periphery of the flange thicker than the portion of the flange that is adjacent to the bowl-shaped body of the diaphragm E.

The center of the diaphragm E contacts with the center of the disc valve C and aligned openings extend through the centers of the diaphragm, disc valve and rubber layer D for receiving a bolt F. A washer 11 is mounted on the bolt shank 12 and bears against the bolt head 13 and the adjacent portion of the diaphragm E. A second Washer 14 is mounted on the bolt shank and bears against the rubber layer D, and a nut 15, the latter being screwed upon the threaded portion of the bolt. In this way the diaphragm is secured to the disc valve and an air tight seal is provided between the washer 11 and the diaphragm.

The casing or casting A has a cover G, see FIGURE 1. The cover is dome-shaped and has an annular rim 16 that fits down upon the top of the diaphragm flange 10. The undersurface 16a of the rim is inclined upwardly so as to coincide with the upwardly inclined upper surface 10b of the diaphragm flange 10. Also the upper surface 16b of the cover flange 16 is inclined upwardly as shown in FIGURE 1. A split clamping ring H has an inwardly and downwardly extending flange 17 for engaging with the cover flange 16 and it has a second inwardly and upwardly extending flange 18 for engaging with the casing flange 5. Both FIGURES 2 and 3 show the split clamping ring H provided with outwardly bent ends 19 and 20. A clamping bolt 1 extends through aligned openings in the ends and a tightening of the bolt will restrict the size of the ring and will cause its inwardly extending flanges to bind the cover flange 16 to the diaphragm flange 10 and to bind the diaphragm flange to the casing flange 5 to make an air and water-tight fitting among all of these parts. The diaphragm divides the casing and cover into a water compartment and an air compartment.

An air pipe 21, see FIGURE 1, communicates with the interior of an air compartment 22, formed by the cover G and the bowl-shaped diaphragm E. The pipe 21 also communicates with a standard air valve K. An air supply pipe 23 leads from a source of compressed air, not shown, and connects with the air valve K. The air valve may be secured to any support such as the instrument panel L of the vehicle, not shown. The panel has an opening 24 through which the operating handle 25 of the air valve K, projects. When the valve handle 25 is in raised position, compressed air will flow through the pipes 23 and 21 and into the compartment 22 for pressing downwardly on the diaphragm E for keeping the disc valve C, closed against the water pressure in the tubular portion 1 of the casing A. When the valve handle is swung into the dot-dash line position of FIGURE 1, the valve K will close the air pipe 23 and will vent the air pipe 21 to the atmosphere. The air in the compartment 22 will escape and the water pressure will open the valve. The amount of opening of the disc valve can be controlled by stopping the valve handle 25 in its midposition where the valve K will prevent any further escape of air from the air compartment. The cylindrical casing wall 4 has a water outlet opening 26 that is horizontally disposed and extends through an arc of about 90", more or less. The outlet 26 has a height that will form the water into an apron-like stream or spray as it issues from the casing. I do not wish to be confined to any exact length or height for the water outlet opening 26.

Before describing the operation of the water sprinkler valve, I will first describe how the effective size of the water outlet opening 26 in the casing A, see FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, can be varied. A water spray adjusting split ring M encircles the casing A, and is wide enough to close the water outlet opening 26. Another opening 27 of the same size and shape as the casing opening 26 can be brought into registration with the opening by adjusting the split ring M and then clamping it in position by tightening a clamping bolt 28 against the outwardly bent ends 29 of the ring. FIGURES 2 and 3 show the spray adjusting ring M, angularly rotated with respect to the casing A so that the opening 27 will partially close the water outlet opening 26. The inner surface of the split ring M has a lining of rubber 30 so that it will make a liquid tight seal with the outer surface of the casing A when the bolt 28 is tightened. The ring opening 27 can be about more or less.

OPERATION From the foregoing description of the various parts of the device, the operation thereof may be readily understood. The operator adjusts the spray adjusting split ring M in the manner just described for closing all or any portion of the water outlet opening 26. The ring can be moved vertically with respect to the casing A as well as angularly so as to uncover all or any part of the opening 26 desired. In FIGURES 2 and 3 for example the adjustment of the ring M has been made to direct water more to one side of the new roadbed, not shown. The bottom of the opening 26 lies in the same horizontal plane as the top of the rim 2 of the tubular portion 1.

I have already explained how the valve K operates. When the valve handle 25 is inclined upwardly as shown in FIGURE 1, the disc valve C is held closed by the compressed air in the chamber 22. When the valve handle 25 is swung into the dot-dash line position, the water pressure will open the disc valve and water will issue out through the opening 26 in an apron-like spray.

I claim:

1. A device of the type described comprising:

(a) a casing having a bottom wall with a water inlet tube extending through the bottom and communicatwith a source of fluid supply under pressure, said tube opening into the casing interior, the outlet rim of the tube lying in a horizontal plane and being spaced above the bottom wall;

(b) a horizontally disposed disc valve for contacting with said outlet rim to close said water inlet;

(c)' said casing having a cylindrical wall and a cover;

(d) a diaphragm extending across said casing and being sealingly clamped between said wall and cover to define an upper air receiving compartment and a lower water receiving compartment in said casing, said diaphragm being connected to said disc valve; said casing wall having a water outlet opening communieating with the lower water receiving compartment and opening into the atmosphere;

(e) a source of compressed air and an air valve con trolling the flow of air into and out from the air compartment, said diaphragm being flexed according to the air pressure in the air compartment;

(f) whereby when said air valve permits a flow of compressed air into the air compartment for exerting a force on the diaphragm and disc valve greater than the fluid pressure in the water inlet tube to open the disc valve, the valve will close and stop the fluid flow into the casing; and when said air valve permits the escape of air from the air compartment to a point where the fluid pressure on the disc valve to open it is greater than the air pressure in the air compartment to close it, the disc valve will open and permit fluid to enter the water compartment and to flow out through the water outlet opening in the casing cylindrical wall.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1: and in which (a) the water opening in the casing cylindrical wall is in the form of a horizontal arcuate slot that extends around the wall for about 90 so as to deliver an apron-like stream of water from said casing when said disc valve is open;

(b) a spray adjusting ring encircling said cylindrical casing wall and having an opening adapted to be brought into registry with the casing water outlet opening when said ring is adjusted on said casing; and

(c) means for securing said ring in adjusted position.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 2: and in which (a) the opening in said ring is the same shape and size as the water outlet opening in said casing wall; said ring being adjustable vertically and angularly on said casing to close any desired portion of the water outlet opening for controlling the size, thickness and direction of the apron-like stream flowing from the casing.

4. A device of the type described comprising:

(a) a casing having a bottom wall with a water inlet tube extending through the bottom and communicating with a source of fluid supply under pressure, said tube opening into the casing interior, the outlet rim of the tube lying in a horizontal plane and being spaced above the bottom wall;

(b) a horizontally disposed disc valve for contacting with said outlet rim to close said water inlet;

(0) said casing having a cylindrical wall and a cover;

(d) a diaphragm extending across said casing and being connected to said valve, said diaphragm forming a part of a water receiving compartment disposed between the diaphragm and the casing bottom wall and also forming a part of an air receiving compartment disposed between the diaphragm and the cover; said casing wall having a water outlet opening communicating with the water receiving compartment and opening into the atmosphere;

(e) a source of compressed air and an air valve controlling the flow of air into and out from the air compartment, said diaphragm being flexed according to the air pressure in the air compartment;

(f) whereby when said air valve permits a flow of compressed air into the air compartment for exerting a force on the diaphragm and disc valve greater than the fluid pressure in the water inlet tube to open the disc valve, the valve will close and sto the fluid flow into the casing; and when said air valve permits the escape of air from the air compartment to a point where the fluid pressure on the disc valve to open it is greater than the air pressure in the air compartment to close it, the disc valve will open and permit fluid to enter the water compartment and to flow out through the water outlet opening in the casing cylindrical wall;

(g) said disc valve having a layer of rubber on its under surface and around its periphery; the disc valve having a circular groove in its under surface coinciding with the circular outlet rim of the water inlet tube; and

(h) said rubber layer has an integral rib that extends into said disc valve groove for increasing the thickness and the resiliency of the rubber where said rim contacts it when said disc valve is closed.

5. A device of the type described comprising:

(a) a casing having a bottom wall with a water inlet tube extending through the bottom and communicating with a source of fluid supply under pressure,

said tube opening into the casing interior, the outlet rim of the tube lying in a horizontal plane and being spaced above the bottom wall;

(b) a horizontally disposed disc valve for contacting with said outlet rim to close said water inlet;

(c) said casing having a cylindrical wall and a cover;

(d) a diaphragm extending across said casing and being connected to said valve, said diaphragm forming a part of a water receiving compartment disposed between the diaphragm and the casing bottom wall and also forming a part of an air receiving compartment disposed between the diaphragm and the cover; said casing wall having a water outlet opening communicating with the water receiving compartment and opening into the atmosphere;

(e) a source of compressed air and an air valve controlling the flow of air into and out from the air compartment, said diaphragm being flexed according to the air pressure in the air compartment;

(f) whereby when said air valve permits a flow of compressed air into the air compartment for exerting a force on the diaphragm and disc valve greater than the fluid pressure in the water inlet tube to open the disc valve, the valve will close and stop the fluid flow into the casing; and when said air valve permits the excape of air from the air compartment to a point where the fluid pressure on the disc valve to open it is greater than the air pressure in the air compartment to close it, the disc valve will open and permit fluid to enter the water compartment and to flow out through the water outlet opening in the casing cylindrical wall;

(g) the water opening in the casing cylindrical wall is in the form of a horizontal arcuate slot that extends around the wall for about so as to deliver an apron-like stream of water from said casing when said disc valve is open;

(h) a spray adjusting ring encircling said cylindrical casing wall and having an opening adapted to be brought into registry with the casing water outlet opening when said ring is adjusted on said casing;

(i) means for securing said ring in adjusted position;

(j) said spray adjusting ring being lined on its inner surface with a layer of rubber;

(k) whereby a water-tight fit is provided between said ring and said casing wall when said means tightens said ring in place.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,086,921 7/1937 Norris 2392l8.5 2,577,967 12/1951 Hughes 251-25 2,980,385 4/1961 Hunter et al. 251-25 3,074,650 1/1963 Kanarek 2392l8.5 3,100,002 8/1963 Moore 251-25 3,100,083 8/1963 Wardup 239452 EVERETT W KIRBY, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

